By Tosan Atie /Warri
There was palpable tension in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State over the killing of a youth leader in Pessu community by persons who allegedly stormed the area in uniforms.
The villagers recalled that it was a late night raid by the armed men who came in Hilux vans and opened fire on residents.
Dele Ogunbayo, a resident who sustained gunshot wounds, said the Itsekiri youth and members of the local vigilante was shot twice and his body taken away.
He said several residents sustained gunshot wounds. “This attack came after earlier clashes in Ekurede, where Itsekiri youths resisted an attempted invasion”, he said.
“After their failure in Ekurede, the attackers redirected their criminal act to Pessu and Iyara, Ajamimogha and other parts of Warri South, firing live rounds of ammunition at residents.”
According to community leaders, they have evidence including Whatsapp chats and messages showing one of the attackers boasting about plans to burn their village.
“They have focused on raiding our communities, searching houses and targeting youths”, he said.
It was learnt that a Nigerian Army detachment later arrived Pessu community to douse tensions.
